The Golden State Warriors are in panic mode. Jimmy Butler tore his ACL on Monday night, which has all but doomed their season.
The Warriors have two paths forward. They can hit reset by going on a fire sale that replenishes their draft capital, or they can double down and continue to compete this season. Most franchises would see this as a natural opportunity to quit while they’re ahead, but Golden State has reportedly felt a moral obligation to compete with Steph Curry on the roster in the past.
Before Butler went down, Warriors writers were flirting with Onyeka Okongwu and the Atlanta Hawks. They saw Okongwu as a prime fit and a way to offload Jonathan Kuminga, whose mere presence has become an issue in the locker room. While there is no official confirmation that this is a trade being considered, Golden State would be foolish not to inquire if they indeed try to compete again.
An Okongwu trade only makes sense if Atlanta lands a top pick
To reiterate, there is no credible reporting that indicates Okongwu is on the trade block. In fact, he is perhaps the front office’s most beloved player and is on an absolute steal of a four-year, $61 million deal.
Still, there’s a price for everything. With the Warriors hitting desperation mode, they understand the only way to become competitive is to swing for the fences. Okongwu himself isn’t quite “swinging for the fences,” but he, alongside one or two other additions, could revitalize this team.
Golden State has only traded one first round pick (2030). This means they have three firsts and three first round swaps to use in any potential deadline deals.
If the Warriors offer a pick in the distant future for Okongwu, the Hawks should bite. Okongwu is a fantastic player, and I personally want to see him alongside Jalen Johnson in the future iterations of this Atlanta team. But the Warriors have absolutely no hope once Curry retires. All of their young players are considered disappointments, and all of their impactful veterans are experiencing age-related decline. There is simply no way for the Warriors to avoid the impending doom at the bottom of the standings.
If the Warriors offered Kuminga, their 2028 pick, and a 2030 swap, this would be a no-brainer for Atlanta. Kuminga is a questionably valuable player, and ideally, GM Onsi Saleh would not extend him the contract he wants. Frankly, Kuminga can walk this offseason if he pleases – he’s just the salary filler.
The real value lies in the future picks, which could turn into true superstars. If the Warriors do indeed look to keep their core together, the Hawks would be lucky to earn back their future picks.